(1) Cabinet noted the changes to the draft budget papers for 2022/23, and considered the recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
(2) Cabinet recommended the budget proposals 2022/23 to Full Council.
(1) Cabinet noted the Statement of the Chief Financial Officer on the robustness of budgets and adequacy of reserves (Appendix N).
(2) Cabinet also noted that the following amounts for the year 2022/23 had been set in accordance with regulations made under Sections 31A and 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:
|
|
100% TAXBASE |
99.40% TAXBASE |
|
|
|
|
|
Welwyn Garden City |
17,853.5 |
17,746.4 |
|
Hatfield |
12,378.2 |
12,303.9 |
|
Welwyn |
4,747.1 |
4,718.6 |
|
Ayot St Lawrence |
70.0 |
69.6 |
|
Ayot St Peter |
113.4 |
112.7 |
|
North Mymms |
4,438.3 |
4,411.7 |
|
Essendon |
431.8 |
429.2 |
|
Northaw & Cuffley |
3,113.5 |
3,094.8 |
|
Woolmer Green |
614.4 |
610.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
43,760.2 |
43,497.6 |
(3) Cabinet approved the following budget proposals and noted that any comments from Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be returned to Special Cabinet on 18 January 2022 for consideration, before final recommendations are made to Council on 2 February 2022:
(4) General Fund
(4.1) The proposed General Fund Budget as summarised in Appendix A, and detailed in appendix B.
(4.2) The inclusion of the savings and growth proposals into the budget as detailed in appendices C and D.
(4.3) The fees and charges which have been incorporated into the budget proposals, as set out in appendix E.
(4.4) The increase in the Council’s Band D Tax of £4.95 (2.26%), taking the average Band D Tax to £224.10 for 2022/23.
(4.5) That £250k be added to the Covid-19 earmarked reserve from the 2022/23 budget, the expenditure of which will be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources. This will be partly funded from the one off received from the Government in 2022/23.
(4.6) That the Special Expenses Scheme as set out in section 3.5 continue into 2022/23, and the Special Expenses detailed in Appendix M be approved for inclusion in the Council Tax for 2022/23.
(5) Housing Revenue Account (HRA)
(5.1) That dwelling rents are increased by CPI+1% in accordance with Government legislation, resulting in an average rent of £113.92 per week.
(5.2) To continue the policy of charging formula rent when vacant properties are re-let.
(5.3) The Housing Revenue Account budget as shown in appendix F.
(5.4) The fees and charges which have been incorporated into the budget proposals, as set out in appendix H.
(5.5) The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to maintain HRA working balances to a minimum of 5% of rental income.
(6) Capital Programme
(6.1) The Capital Programme for 2022/23 to 2026/27 as set out in Appendix I.
(6.2) The Capital Financing for the Capital Programme, for 2022/23 to 2026/27 as set out in Appendix J, and note the forecast capital balances in Appendix K.
(7) Medium Term Financial Strategy
(7.1) The Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Financial Governance Framework, including all annexes and prudential indicators for 2022/23 – 2024/25 as set out in appendix L.